Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park; Gorilla trekking is the major activity in Bwindi impenetrable national park where tourists move into the deep tropical rainforests in search of the habituated mountain gorillas and once found spend one hour with them in their natural environment. Bwindi impenetrable national park is located in southwestern part of Uganda in Kanungu district at the edge of the rift valley and it’s known for harboring the highest number of mountain gorillas which are found in four sectors namely Ruhiija sector in the East, Rushaga sector in the south, Buhoma sector in the north and Nkuringo sector in the south. Bwindi impenetrable national park was gazetted as a national park in 1991 mainly to protect and conserve the endangered mountain gorillas and in 1994 the national park was declared a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site due to its rich biodiversity.
The national park harbors abundant wildlife species including mammals like forest elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, bush pigs, duikers, primates like chimpanzees, baboons, l’hoest monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, different plant and tree species and over 350 bird species including the Albertine rift endemics. Apart from Bwindi impenetrable national park, there are other gorilla trekking destinations in Africa including Mgahinga gorilla national park in Uganda, Volcanoes national park in Rwanda, Virunga national park and Kahuzi Biega national park in Democratic Republic of Congo.
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park
Bwindi impenetrable national park is a home of about 19 habituated gorilla families namely Habiyanja, Mubare, Oruzogo, Bitukura, Mukiza, Rushegura, Nshogi, Kyaguliro, Bweza, Kahungye, Mishaya, Katwe, Mucunguzi, Kutu, Nkuringo, Bikingi, Busingye, Christmas and Bushaho which are found in four sectors and available for trekking on a daily basis. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park starts in the morning with a briefing about the rules and regulations to follow while trekking. After the briefing you will be divided into groups of 8 individuals where each group will be allocated a habituated gorilla family to trek and a park guide who is well conversant with different trails in the jungle. Trekking of mountain gorillas takes about 30 minutes to 7 hours depending on where the mountain gorillas are located because they like to move from one place to another in search of food. During trekking you will be able to view other primates in the forest such as l’hoest monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, view different bird species, plants among others. Once the mountain gorillas are located you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat which gives you an opportunity to learn about their habits, lifestyle, behaviors, watch them feed, breastfeed, groom young ones, take photos and record the breathtaking moments.
Bwindi impenetrable national park also offers the adventurous gorilla habituation experience where the wild mountain gorillas are trained to get used to human presence for trekking. The habituation process takes about 2 to 3 years to get complete and it allows visitors to spend four hours with the mountain gorillas.
When to go for gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park
Gorilla trekking can be done anytime throughout the year though the best time is during the dry season also known as the peak season in the months of June to September and December to February. During this period there is less or little rainfall in the tropical rainforest therefore access roads to the park and gorilla trekking trails will be dry and passable compared to the wet season when the trails are muddy and slippery which makes gorilla trekking difficult.
Cost of a gorilla trekking permit in Bwindi impenetrable national park
A gorilla trekking permit is issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) to any person above the age of 15 years and it costs 700 USD per person for foreign non residents, 600 USD per person for foreign residents and 250,000 UGX per person for East African citizens. The gorilla trekking permit in Bwindi impenetrable national park allows visitors to spend one hour in the presence of the mountain gorillas and it’s valid for one day.
Gorilla trekking permits in Bwindi impenetrable national park should however be booked 3 to 4 months in advance before the trekking date because permits are competitive and usually get sold out quickly especially during the dry season in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February.
Where to stay during your gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi impenetrable national park
There are several accommodation facilities in Bwindi impenetrable national park where you can stay during your gorilla trekking safari. The accommodations range from budget, midrange and luxury including Buhoma lodge, Mahogany springs, Sanctuary gorilla forest lodge, Chameleon hill, Bwindi jungle lodge, Bwindi lodge, Silverback lodge, Buhoma haven lodge, Buhoma community rest camp, Nkuringo safari lodge, Clouds mountain gorilla lodge, Gorilla valley lodge, Ichumbi gorilla lodge, Bakiga lodge, Agandi lodge, Broadbill forest camp, Rushaga gorilla camp among others.
How to get to Bwindi impenetrable national park
Bwindi impenetrable national park is located in southwestern part of Uganda and can be accessed by both road and air transport means.
Air transport, when using air transport you will book domestic flights with Aerolink Uganda from Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi airfield to Kihihi airstrip or Kisoro airstrip and then connect the park by road.
Road transport, when using road transport means you will drive from Kampala/ Entebbe via Masaka, Mbarara, Kabale and then to one of the sectors in Bwindi impenetrable national park which takes about 8 to 9 hours drive.
Bwindi impenetrable national park can also be accessed from Kigali-Rwanda whereby you will fly to Kigali international airport and then drive to Bwindi impenetrable national park via Cyanika border in Kisoro or Katuna border in Kabale which takes about 3 to 4 hours drive.
Bwindi impenetrable national park is the best place for gorilla trekking for visitors who want incredible and unforgettable experiences. For more information about gorilla trekking and affordable gorilla trekking packages, you can contact us at Achieve Global Safaris or visit our website.
